Daniel 9:9
But the Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
I still remember when my Mam-ma Polly told me that she had shoveled the ice off her driveway…”so that people could pull in safely.” She did this despite our most earnest pleas to stay inside…and stay OFF the ice! I cannot honestly say that she never fell doing this (because she probably would not have told us!), but thankfully, she never suffered any significant injuries as a result. And while we did not like her “rebellious” actions and behaviors at times, we always loved her and forgave her.
Parents have been doing this with children for generations. My cousins were telling recently of their now-adult daughter sticking something into the electrical outlet as a child – TWICE - despite their admonitions…”Don’t do that!” Of course, they loved her and cared for her afterward…but they still did not want her to put anything in the electrical outlets!
Every single day, we do things that displease God. We may be fully conscious of our rebellion…or it may be something that we do so automatically that we don’t realize what we have done. We may also rebel against God by charging ahead without asking for His guidance and seeking His wisdom. We have to do better at responding to God and obeying His commands. Thankfully, God is merciful, forgiving…and relatively patient with us in the meantime. Hopefully we can make daily progress as we grow closer to Him through prayer, Bible study, and the fellowship and sharing of encouragement with other believers.
As part of our Christian discipleship, we are called to show mercy, forgiveness and compassion to others. Let’s be honest…people are going to rebel against us…betray us…insult us…ignore us…or show us disrespect and/or mistreatment in some manner more than once in our lifetimes. Maybe you feel like this is a daily occurrence in your life! Truly, this is not what God desires for us. But then, He doesn’t desire that we treat Him in this manner, either. And in God, we see the perfect example of how to treat others. We don’t have to like their actions and behaviors…we don’t have to be their personal doormat…but we do have to offer them mercy and forgiveness, just as God offers each of us.
How do you maintain boundaries, stand up for yourself and what is right…yet let someone know that you do not condone rebellious actions and behaviors? We have been perfect examples of this all throughout scripture. There are consequences for bad behavior. God does not dole out blessings and “free passes” to those who disobey or disrespect Him. But He never stops loving them. God is always available to hear from His children…He makes sure basic needs are met, and He offers opportunities for restoration and reconciliation.
A cousin of mine once said of a mutual acquaintance…”When you get on his list – there is no eraser.” We may have to take a “time out” from someone…or step away from certain situations. We may have to practice “tough love” for a season. But we never stop sharing God’s love. We never stop praying – or caring. And when the person sincerely asks for our forgiveness…we must offer it. Imagine how you would feel if you were cut off from God…if you felt you had messed up so badly that He could never love you again. Thankfully, this will never happen! But we must still imagine how a person would feel if he/she thought this were the case…or how it would be for them to feel as if we had permanently and completely rejected them.
God wants us to love others as He loves us…so we must stand ready to offer mercy and forgiveness. To do otherwise is also an act of rebellion! This is a big challenge…but we serve a MIGHTY God…and He will give us the strength and wisdom to accomplish this! Are you ready to pay His mercy and forgiveness forward? Isn’t this a good day to begin?
©2014 Debbie Robus
Showing posts with label rebellion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rebellion. Show all posts
Daily Devotional for October 24, 2013
Romans 13:2
So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The quote on my calendar for today said:
As we grow and develop, we become more independent – in both thoughts and actions. And this is a good thing, for the most part. But we also seem to grow more rebellious. Many of us decide that we want to completely control our own destiny… often with disastrous results.
I saw a recent news report about motorcyclists who have made a game out of driving recklessly on public streets and highways. They call themselves “stunters”. One 33-year-old husband and father of three, who calls himself “Krash” said, “This is my rush.” When asked about the fact that riding down the highway on one wheel is illegal, he said he didn’t feel like a lawbreaker… that “I believe it can be controlled.” The reporter asked him what could be done to make him stop, and he said, “… really, nothing.” Obviously “Krash” has decided that the rules do not apply to him. He does not respect the laws - or those who enforce them – even at risk of arrest, serious personal injury, or possible death!
Where in our daily living are we behaving like “stunters”? Where have we forgotten that we are sunk without God and His authority and all-powerfulness? How have we failed to recognize that when we rebel against earthly authority, we are doing the same thing to God?
It is time for us to examine our thoughts and actions toward others and determine where we lack respect for them. We must ask God to show us how change…to develop a new mindset about the influence and mandates of everyone from our parents and teachers to our bosses…our spouses…and our leaders in everything from the community to our nation. We need to review how we are treating people and property at every “level”. If we are rebelling against authority – or showing disrespect – we have done the same to God. Timothy is right… God is in charge of everything. And as the little boy told Him in prayer… if we lose His blessing, we truly are sunk! Is this a risk you are willing to take?
©2013 Debbie Robus
So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished.
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The quote on my calendar for today said:
A little boy ended a lengthy prayer that had included everyone he could think of by saying: “And dear God, take care of Yourself. If anything happens to You, we’re all sunk!”Whoever this little boy was… he totally “got it!” I’m reminded of the last time I said night-time prayers with our Timothy, and he said, “God, thank You… for EVERYTHING!” How is it that little kids understand the omnipotence and authority of God better than we adults? “Terrible Twos” and an occasional attempt to “test the waters” aside…most children respect authority in general far better than any other age group!
As we grow and develop, we become more independent – in both thoughts and actions. And this is a good thing, for the most part. But we also seem to grow more rebellious. Many of us decide that we want to completely control our own destiny… often with disastrous results.
I saw a recent news report about motorcyclists who have made a game out of driving recklessly on public streets and highways. They call themselves “stunters”. One 33-year-old husband and father of three, who calls himself “Krash” said, “This is my rush.” When asked about the fact that riding down the highway on one wheel is illegal, he said he didn’t feel like a lawbreaker… that “I believe it can be controlled.” The reporter asked him what could be done to make him stop, and he said, “… really, nothing.” Obviously “Krash” has decided that the rules do not apply to him. He does not respect the laws - or those who enforce them – even at risk of arrest, serious personal injury, or possible death!
Where in our daily living are we behaving like “stunters”? Where have we forgotten that we are sunk without God and His authority and all-powerfulness? How have we failed to recognize that when we rebel against earthly authority, we are doing the same thing to God?
It is time for us to examine our thoughts and actions toward others and determine where we lack respect for them. We must ask God to show us how change…to develop a new mindset about the influence and mandates of everyone from our parents and teachers to our bosses…our spouses…and our leaders in everything from the community to our nation. We need to review how we are treating people and property at every “level”. If we are rebelling against authority – or showing disrespect – we have done the same to God. Timothy is right… God is in charge of everything. And as the little boy told Him in prayer… if we lose His blessing, we truly are sunk! Is this a risk you are willing to take?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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